Compartment car



May 3 1932- F., s.. ROBERTS ET AL- I 2 COMPARTMENT CAR Fild Jime a. 1929 5 sheets sheet i ORNEYS.

May 31, 1932. F. s. ROBERTS ET AL COMPARTMENT CAR Filed June 8, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 7fafia 0 NEYS.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 COMPARTMENT CAR Filed June 8. 1929 F. S ROBERTS ET AL INVENTORS Ww7fd7i0%e//s &

' partments similarly attractive.

Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK S. ROBERTS, OF DETROIT, AND GUSTAV ANDERSON, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN COMPARTMENT GAR Application filed June 8, 1929. Serial No. 369,348.

This invention relates to sleeping cars and especlally to those of the compartment type.

In the conventional type Pullman or sleeping car having upper and lower berths there are many inconveniences and discomforts, which the passengers must endure and which prevent them from getting a proper amount of restful sleep.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a car having upper and lower comnovel construction used, it is possible to furnish in each compartment a full length double bed, toilet, lavoratory, running ice water, writing desk and a large amount of storage space.

It is a further object of this invention to utilize a standard car andprovide therein .a maximum number of individual and inde pendent compartments which will give complete privacy to the passengers during the day as well as the night. The compartments are arranged in a novel manner, whereby any one compartment may be changed from sitting quarters to sleeping quarters without in the least disturbing the passengers in any of the other'compartments.

In the ordinary sleeping car the upper berths are undesirable as the only means of access is bya step ladder steadied by the porter. This makes it particularly hard for women and elikrly persons to get into an upper berth, with tlfe result that as a rule the lower berths are the only ones occupied. This invention provides compartments, which are equally accessible regardless of whether upper or lower. An upper compartment and contiguous lower compartment are further arranged so that they may be thrown together to form a suite having private communications between the-two compartments as Well as independent communication from each of the common corridor.-

It is a further object of -this invention to provide ample ventilation for each compartment. This isaccomplished-by extending both the upper and lower compartments to the roof of the car where openings for venti- 0 lations are provided.

With the compartments to a 1 The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional plan view taken on line II in Figure 4.

Figure 2 shows a sectional plan view of a typical lower compartment taken on line IIII in Figure 5. I

Figure 3 shows a sectional plan view of a typical upper compartment taken on line IIIIII in Figure 6.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line IV-IV in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a transverse section of lower compartment taken on line V-V in Figure 1.

F lgure 6 is a transverse section of u per compartment taken on line VIVI in ure 1.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section taken on line-VIIVII in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section taken on line VIIIVIII in Figure 1.

As shown on the drawings In the embodiment of this invention it is contemplated to use a railway coach of standard size. The sides 1 and 10 are of standard construction and are turned inwardly at the .ends to form the end portions 3 of the car in which thereis inserted a door 4 to provide a means for entering and leaving the car.-

which may have windows 2 placed therein in any manner desired. The inner wall of the corridor is formed by a partition 6 extending vertically from the floor of the corridor to the roof of the car. The partition 6 has an integral inturned flange 7 on one end to form a side wall for the entrance to the upper compartment.

The floor of the lower compartments is on the same level and integral with the floor of the corridor 5 thereby permitting easy access from the corridor to any lower compartment through doors 8 which are suitably placed in the partition 6. It is evident from the drawings that a lower compartment and its adjacent upper compartment may be thrown together forming a suite.

The separating wall or partition between the compartment of a. suite is formed by a partition 9 extending upwardly to the roof of the car. This partition is connected on a vertical line to partition 6 and extends transversely of the car to the side 10 of the car where it is connected by any suitable means. A forwardly disposed indented portion 11 is provided in partition 9 to accommodate the forward seat 12 of the upper compartment which overhangs the rear seat 13 of the lower compartment. A door 14 is provided in partition 9 and steps 15 are provided to effect private means of communication between an upper and lower compartment of a suite.

The forward end wall of the lower compartment is formed by a partition 16 which extends from partition 6 transversely across the car to side 10 of the car where it is connected by a suitable means. A forwardly disposed indented portion .17 is provided in the partition 16 to accommodate the forward seat 19 of the lower compartment, and at the same time provide a support for the rear seat 18 of the upper compartment which overhangs the front seat 19 of the lower compartment. -It is to be observed that with this arrangement the rear end wall of a lower compartment forms the front end wall of an upper compartment and the front end wall of a lower compartment forms the rear end wall of an upper compartment.

The lower compartment has a false top or ceiling 20 in Figure 5, which extends horizontally from the top edge of partition 6 to the top member 21 of the car roof, where it is fastened by any suitable means. The ceiling 20 is made to fit between the indented pzortion 11 and the partition 16, as shown in igure 7, and is fixedly fastened thereto. An arcuate ceiling 22 integral with ceiling 20 extends upwardly to member 23 of the car roof. This arcuate ceiling extends transversely from the riser 24 of the car roof to the indented portions 11 and thereby increases the head room above the steps 15, and furnishes a passageway from the lower compartment to ventilating openings which will be subsequently referred to.

Entrance to an upper compartment, when used independently, is made from the corridor by means of steps 25, through a hallway formed by partitions 7 and 16 and thence through the door 26, which is hinged to partition 16. When the upper compartment is used ensuite with its contiguous lower compartment, inter-communication is provided by means of the steps 15 and the door 14. It is to be observed that the main floor 27 of the upper compartment is above the level of the floor of the lower compartment and corridor, but is readily accessible by means of the steps previously mentioned. A floor 28 between the seats of the upper compartment is raised slightly above the main floor of the compartment. Hand rails 29 and 30 are provided for convenience in assisting and steadying a passenger, when mounting the steps to the upper compartment.

Windows are placed in the outside wall of the compartments to allow the passengers to view the scenery and also to admit light as well as air for ventilation. Each compartment communicates with the top of the car, where ventilation openings 31 are provided. It is therefore possible to ventilate each compartment and keep fresh air therein at all times.

No attempt has been made to specify the material of which the various partition and ceiling members should be constructed or how they should be fastened together. It is preferable, however, that the entire structure be of steel, due to the added strength to be obtained thereby and the ease with which the various members may be fastened together, which may be by means of bolts, welding and the like.

Each compartment is similarly furnished and is provided with the ordinary Pullman seat, or other suitable type, which is easily changed into a berth by extending the seat bottoms as shown in 32. These berths extend longitudinally of the car and are thereby best adapted to prevent rolling of the occupant when in a reclining position. Private toilets 33, writin desks 34, folding lavatory 36a, (Fig. 2 and running ice water from a storage tank 35 are provided in each compartment for the convenience of the passengers. Ample storage spaces 39 are provided for all compartments; linen closets 38 are furnished in the forward vestibule and a toilet 36 and lavatory 37 in the rear vestibule is included for general use.

It is to be understood that radiators may be placed in the spaces under the floor of the upper compartments and between the seats of consecutive lower compartments. These radiators might be separated by a suitable partition and shutters arranged in the floor of the upper compartment for communication with its radiator, and shutters below the seats of the lower compartment for communication with its radiator. This arrangement has not been shown on the drawings as it would only tend to make them more complicated and confusing.

Typical upper and lower compartments are shown in Figures 3 and 2 respectively and it is to be noted that they are equally desirable, being commodious and easy of access. Ample head room is provided in each compartment regardless of whether the occupant is standing or sitting.

By the use of this invention it is at once to be seen that upper and lower compartments of a superior type are obtained and it is not'necessary to have the assistance of a porter in order to get into an upper compartment. All compartments are equally desirable as similar conveniences are provided in both upper and lower compartments. The use of this invention also makes it possible to use a standard size car, and almost double the number of compartments now possible in the same car.

While this invention has been considered in the foregoing as applied to railway cars, it is equally applicable for use in any type of conveyance, such as airplanes, busses, boats and the like.

We are aware that numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and'we therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a car, in combination, permanent upper and lower individual compartments, the upper compartments interpositioned and overlapping the adjacent lower "compartments, and means of communication between an upper and lower compartment to form said compartments intoa suite.

2. A car having upper and lower compartments, and means for private communication between an upper and a lower compartment forming a suite, said compartments extending to the roof of said car for ventilation thereof.

3. In a car, in combination, a plurality of compartments, said compartments arranged with alternate ones on the floor level of said car and the intervening ones elevated above the car floor, all of said compartments extending upwardly to the roof of said car, and means in the roof of said car for ventilating said compartments.

4. In a .car, the combination with a longitudinal corridor, of permanent upper and lower compartments, intercommunicating means extending between an upper and a lower compartment whereby the same may be combined to form a suite, and independent means of communication from each of said compartments to said corridor.

5. In a car, the combination with a longitudinal corridor, of permanent upper and lower transverse compartments, said compartments extending upwardly to the roof of said car, and independent means of communlcation from said compartments to said corridor.

6. A car having upper and lower compartments; private communicating means between an upper and a lower compartment for forming a suite, each of said compartments having transverse seats therein, and meansfor combining said seats in each of said compartments to form a berth extending longitudinally of said car.

7. A car having upper and lower compartments; said compartments adapted to form a suite consisting of an upper compartment and a lower compartment, all of said. compartments extending upwardly to the roof of said ca'r, transverse seats in each of said compartments, and means for combining said seats in each of said compartments to form a longitudinal berth therein.

8. In a car, the combination with a longitudinal corridor, of alternate upper and lower compartments, a pair of confronting seats in each compartment adapted for conversion into a berth, each seat in said upper compartment overhanging a seat in'the adjacent lower compartment, and means for communication with each compartment from said corridor.

9. In a car, in combination, a corridor, a

lower compartment on the floor level of said corridor, individual communicating means from said corridor to said lower compartment, an upper compartment having a floor level above that of the corridor, and a plurality of passageways communicating with said upper compartment, one of said passageways connecting with the lower compartment and the other with the corridor.

10. In a car, in combination, a corridor, a lower compartment on the floor level of said corridor, individual communicating means from said corridor to said lower compartment, an upper compartment having a floor level above that of the corridor, a plurality of passageways communicating with said upper compartment, one of said passageways connecting with the lower compartment and the other with the corridor, and stairs disposed in each of said passageways.

11'. In a car, in combination, a plurality of compartments, said compartments being arranged with alternate compartments on the floor level of said car and intervening compartments elevated above the car floor, all of said compartments extending upwardly to the car roof.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

FRANK S. ROBERTS. GUSTAV ANDERSON. 

